Flood relief dinghy in Clonlara was ‘interfered with’

GARDAI have confirmed they are investigating reports that a dinghy being used by Defence Forces personnel to assist flood-stricken householders in Clonlara was interfered with by a number of youths.

GARDAI have confirmed they are investigating reports that a dinghy being used by Defence Forces personnel to assist flood-stricken householders in Clonlara was interfered with by a number of youths.

It is understood the inflatable dingy, which was located at a farmhouse at Springfield, Clonlara was untied by the youths at around 8pm on Sunday.

The youths were confronted a short time later by a number of local men and the dinghy returned to the Defence Forces.

A senior garda source refused to speculate on reports the culprits had intended breaking into houses which have been evacuated because of the recent flooding.

“We were notified of an incident and we are looking into it, it may have been two young fellas messing,” he said.

A Defence Forces spokesperson declined to comment as the matter has been referred to gardai.

Gardai at Ardnacrusha are investigating.

Meanwhile, Limerick City and County Council officials are maintaining flood-easing measures, as heavy rainfall is expected to hit Limerick on Wednesday evening.

According to a Council spokesperson, conditions were unchanged on Monday afternoon in the Castleconnell and Montpelier area, following the ESB’s decision to maintain the flow of water from Parteen Weir, at 470 cumecs [cubic metres per second].

On Monday morning, the ESB decided to maintain this discharge rate. It is possible they could increase the discharge to 500 cumecs as water levels on Lough Derg rise in the coming days.

The Road Safety Authority has issued a reminder to all road users to take extra caution while driving on roads.

South-East Clare councillor Cathal Crowe has said that the recent flooding could have caused “water discolouration” coming from household taps in Meelick, Parteen, and Westbury. He said that Irish Water had informed him that they will investigate the issue.

Cllr Crowe said that some residents believe that it is a “longer running problem” than the flooding.

Meanwhile, Hyde Road has been cleared of most of its flooding, locals said.

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